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Post subject: Humbucker mod for Strat
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 12:11 pm
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Location: Ontario, Canada
Hey,

I have a squier standard HSS that playes nicely, but the pickups are way too noisy and not right for want I want.

I need a guitar for hard rock like Ozzy Osbourn, Van Halen, maybe even some Metallica and want a PAF style humbucker to replace the existing one.

Any suggestions as to what would be best for me without having to spent too much money?

I found this, but I don't know enough to know if this is what I want:
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wired-Strat-Two-Chrome-Humbuckers-BlackWhiteBlack-guard_p_896.html

-Ben 'Jammin


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Post subject: Re: Humbucker mod for Strat
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:39 pm
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hey buddy, GFS is a great place to get things. I just got the 60's repro overwound strat set, and they're awesome. I would suggest you look for an OPEN coil design. looks up the specs on DIMARZIO and SEYMOUR DUNCAN, and then compare to GFS. To get more bite, go for a higher gain pup. and don't forget the 500k pots


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Post subject: Re: Humbucker mod for Strat
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:25 pm
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Wilde pickups are quality at less cost, or Tonerider. Me, I'm a Dimarzio fan, he's been around forever for a good reason.


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Post subject: Re: Humbucker mod for Strat
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:44 pm
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Quote:
"and don't forget the 500k pots


Thanks for the advise, but I know nothing about "500K pots" so fill me in please. (I'm kind of a beginner at guitar tech and mods). Can I only get certain pickups for this guitar or something?

-Ben 'Jammin


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Post subject: Re: Humbucker mod for Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:14 am
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Hello!

You can put just about any pickup in your Squier. The only limitation is the amount of room underneath your pickguard. You say you have an HSS config right now, which is handy for what you want to do. I would say any humbucker will fit into your bridge position without too many problems, and there are heaps to choose from - Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio/EMG/Tonerider/GFS the list goes on....

With regards to your "noisy" pickups, I am guessing you mean the two single coils in the neck and middle positions? These can be replaced with single coil sized humbuckers, so the noise will pretty much be gone. They come in a variety of styles - dual rail/stacked coils etc, and fit into the space of a single coil pickup.

"500k pots" refers to the resistance value of the "pot" or potentiometer that is used as the guitars volume control. Most guitars that have three single coils use all 250k pots for the volume and tone controls, but when humbuckers are used, most people change the volume pot to a 500k version. The fact that you have a humbucker in your guitar already may mean you already have a 500k pot installed for your volume control.

When replacing your Squier's pickguard with another one, be careful as not all pickguards are the same. Any pickguard you buy may not fit the same as your original one, and some of the mounting holes may or may not line up. I have come across some guards that do not even cover the control cavities in the body properly. Also be aware that genuine Fender Strat pickguards may not fit your Squier body.

As for recommendations for pickups, I am a Seymour Duncan fan. My current favorite guitar (an old japanese strat copy) has an SD Full Shred (SH-10b) in the bridge position, an SD Classic Stack (STK-1n) in the middle, and an SD Cool Rails (SCR-1n) in the neck. I play anything from classic rock to hard rock to metal on this guitar, and it has enough sounds to keep me happy, distorted or clean.

I hope all this helps you out! I wish I had internet forums when I was first modifying guitars.....


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Post subject: Re: Humbucker mod for Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:20 pm
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Thanks a lot!

Now there is just one question remaining, I hope. I don't know if my guitar has 250 or 500K pots in it right now, I did a little research, but came up with nothing.

It's a stock Squier Standard Black and Chrome Fat Strat HSS. I am the first owner.


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Post subject: Re: Humbucker mod for Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:59 pm
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As I don't know the specifics of the model you have (or any model for that matter), the only way to tell for sure is to remove the pickguard and have a look. You should see "250K" or "500K" (and maybe some other letters) stamped or printed on the bottom of the pots themselves.


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Post subject: Re: Humbucker mod for Strat
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:45 pm
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Thanks A lot!!

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-Ben 'Jammin

Guitarist, Keyboardist, and Vocalist of the band:
BOX OF KORKS


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